NANESA SRL

Their core work

Nanesa is an Italian SME specializing in graphene and 2D materials, operating within the EU Graphene Flagship — one of Europe's largest research initiatives. They contribute expertise in graphene-based composites, energy applications, electronics, photonics, and sensor technologies. Their involvement spans from fundamental material research through to pilot-line manufacturing of 2D materials, positioning them at the intersection of advanced materials science and industrial scale-up. They also work on terahertz technologies using graphene nano-antennas and quantum effects in transition metal dichalcogenides.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2016-2018), Nanesa engaged in broad-based graphene research covering a wide range of applications — composites, energy, electronics, photonics, sensors, and biomedical technologies. By 2019-2020, their focus sharpened considerably toward specific high-value niches: terahertz technologies, nano-antennas, quantum effects in 2D materials, and critically, pilot-line manufacturing. This shift from exploratory breadth to application-specific depth and scale-up readiness suggests a company maturing from research participation toward commercialization.

Nanesa is moving from fundamental graphene research toward industrial pilot-line production and specialized terahertz applications, signaling readiness for commercialization partnerships.

How they like to work

Nanesa operates exclusively as a participant, never leading projects — typical for a specialized SME contributing domain-specific materials expertise to large flagship initiatives. Their 257 unique partners across 26 countries reflects the massive Graphene Flagship consortia rather than independently built relationships. However, their consistent selection across multiple Flagship phases (Core1, Core2, Core3, plus 2D-EPL) indicates they are a trusted, returning contributor valued by the consortium leadership.

Nanesa has collaborated with 257 partners across 26 countries, though this extensive network stems primarily from the Graphene Flagship's large consortia. Their geographic reach is pan-European, embedded in the Flagship's multi-national research ecosystem.

What sets them apart

Nanesa is one of relatively few SMEs that has participated across multiple phases of the Graphene Flagship, Europe's billion-euro flagship initiative — demonstrating sustained trust from the consortium. Their transition into the 2D Experimental Pilot Line (2D-EPL) sets them apart as a small company actively involved in bridging the gap between laboratory graphene research and industrial-scale production. For potential partners, this means access to a company with deep graphene expertise AND practical scale-up experience, which is rare among SMEs.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GrapheneCore3
  Largest funding allocation (EUR 1.55M) — representing a significant investment in Nanesa's graphene capabilities within the Flagship's third and most mature phase.
• 2D-EPL
  Experimental Pilot Line project focused on scaling 2D material production to industrial readiness — signals Nanesa's move toward manufacturing and commercialization.
• TERASSE
  Explores terahertz nano-antennas using quantum effects in graphene and TMDs — a distinct, high-potential application area outside the core Flagship work.